2 Kings 3:9

9 So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah and the king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey. And there was no water for the host and for the cattle that followed them.

2 Kings 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:9

So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah
The way of the wilderness of Edom, proposed by the latter:

and the king of Edom;
whom they took with them in their way, who was not properly a king, but a viceroy or deputy, see ( 1 Kings 22:47 )

and they fetched a compass of seven days journey;
they went round the Dead Sea, and through the wilderness of Edom, and so to the borders of Moab:

and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed
them;
neither for the soldiers in the army, nor the cattle that drew the carriages, being in a wilderness.

2 Kings 3:9 In-Context

7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab hath rebelled against me. Wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle?" And he said, "I will go up; I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses."

8 And he said, "Which way shall we go up?" And he answered, "The way through the Wilderness of Edom."

9 So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah and the king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey. And there was no water for the host and for the cattle that followed them.

10 And the king of Israel said, "Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"

11 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?" And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."